I was minutes away from marrying the man I loved when my father suddenly froze. A terrified look on his face shattered everything I thought I knew.
I always thought my wedding day would end in tears of joy, not a broken heart. More than anything, I wanted my father, Daniel, to walk me down the aisle.
My father raised me alone, as my mother left when I was little. He would braid my hair before school, work nights, and sit by my side when I was sick.
He always said, “Your life will be better than mine. I’ll do everything I can to make sure of it.”
I always thought my wedding day would end in tears of joy.
***
Julian, my fiancé, had only seen Dad a few times through video calls with poor video quality because we lived in Europe for three years. When we returned before the wedding, Dad missed the rehearsal dinner because of a fever.
Even so, he smiled on the phone and said, “I’ll see him tomorrow, when I’m with you.”
***
On the wedding day, I stood outside the church with Dad. I heard the rustle of my dress, smelled the white roses, and felt his ragged breathing.
When the music started, Dad walked over and then stopped.
Dad missed the rehearsal dinner.
My fiancé was at the altar, smiling.
My father’s grip tightened on my arm.
“Dad?” I murmured. “What’s wrong?”
He stared at Julian, his face pale.
“No…” Dad whispered. “It can’t be.”
Julian’s smile vanished as he walked toward us.
Dad raised a trembling hand.
“How could this be you?” he demanded. “I was sure you’d disappeared 30 years ago!”
My knees nearly buckled.
“It can’t be.”
“Do you know each other?” I asked.
Dad whispered, “Adrian…”
Julian looked at me.
“There’s something your father has never told you.”
My father stared at my fiancé as if he’d seen a ghost.
“You’re Leonard’s son. You were just a boy the last time I saw you.”
Murmurs rippled through the pews.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
No one answered.
Elise, my maid of honor, hurried over. “Everyone, please remain seated. We need a moment.”
“Do you know each other?”
***
I led Dad into a small office.
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